Either one of the two Democratic contenders, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama or New York Sen.
Hillary Clinton, leads the likely Republican presidential nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain,
according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Sen. Obama leads Sen. McCain
47 - 40 percent while Sen. Clinton is up 46 - 41 percent.

Among Democrats, Obama is ahead slightly as 45 percent say they want to see him win
the nomination while 41 percent want to see Clinton as the nominee. And Democrats say 63 - 34
percent that Clinton should stay in the presidential race.

"Sen. Hillary Clinton's never-say-die campaign still has lots of fans. Just as in delegates,
states, money, you-name-it, Obama leads her in national support - but only by a bit," said Maurice
Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Either Democrat leads Sen. John McCain, with heavy support from black voters. McCain
has an edge among white voters."

"Party leaders may be cringing over the potential damage to Democratic chances in
November from the endless primary campaign, but two-thirds of the rank-and-file think Clinton
ought to keep battling," Carroll added.

"The 'dream ticket?' Three out of five Democrats like the idea."

The economy is the single most important issue in their vote for President, 48 percent of
voters say, with 20 percent listing the war in Iraq and 11 percent listing health care.
Americans are split in what quality they want most in a candidate, as 31 percent most want
a strong leader and 29 percent want someone trustworthy.

Bush Approval

American voters disapprove 67 - 28 percent of the job President George W. Bush is doing,
his lowest approval ever in a Quinnipiac University national poll. Voters disapprove 67 - 29
percent of the way President Bush is handling the war in Iraq and disapprove 75 - 20 percent of
the way he is handling the economy.

The war in Iraq was the wrong thing to do, voters say 62 - 33 percent. The U.S. should
set a timetable for troop withdrawal, 48 percent say, while 28 percent say U.S. troops should stay
as long as needed and 22 percent say withdraw all U.S. troops as soon as possible.

"The overall numbers blur a big partisan split over Iraq. By a large margin, Republicans
think the war was the right thing to do. By an even larger margin, Democrats think it was
wrong," Carroll said. "What should the next President do about Iraq? Get out or set a
withdrawal timetable, Democrats say. Stay the course, say a majority of Republicans."

From May 8 -12, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,745 registered voters nationwide, with
a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and
nationwide as a public service and for research.
For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

1a. (Democrats only) Who would you like to see win the Democratic nomination for
President this year - Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama?